Recommendations for Sunday Lunch for Group of 30yo Friends

Trying to decide on a good lunch spot in downtown on Sunday aft for a friends get-together. We're all in our mid 30s and looking for a hip, bright, decently-priced (i.e. $15 mains) resto with GOOD food and casual friendly VIBE. Please no diners or greasy spoons. A couple of these friends are Torontonians living abroad so would be nice to try something recently new or upcoming.

I wouldn't say the food at South of Temperance is awesome....serviceable yes. Not sure what your definition of hip is - but I would say Canteen could fit the bill. Our go to place used to be Wish on Charles St.

I didn't find the food to be awesome at South of Temperence. Agree with JennaBean's comment that the food is ok at best. The financial district on a Sunday isn't exactly what I'd think of when it comes to hip vibe, either.

The food at Canteen is ok at best, and not too hip.

The food at Earth tends to be decent but fairly conservative. I'd stick to the soups, meat or vegetarian dishes. I much prefer their steak to their burger. I am not a fan of the smoked ricotta they're using in the current beet salad and on one of their flatbreads. The lunch menu is only available midweek. The brunch menu is what they serve at lunchtime on the weekend.Globe Earth brunch menu: http://www.globeearth.ca/Menus/brunch...

I like the brunch at the Drake, and it might qualify as hip. Might also consider the Cuban brunch at Delux on Ossington. I've been meaning to try it out.

Most Sunday brunch mains at Frank, at the AGO are around $18, and the food is usually ok, if not pretty good, in my experience. Probably not hip, but nice atmosphere. http://www.ago.net/frank-brunch-menu

Might also be worth considering Negroni & Paese, which are both open at lunch on Sundays.

Queen Mother or Beer Bistro also might work, although I find the food hit or miss at both.

Bear in mind that food costs have increased substantially over the last year, and restaurants serving good food are feeling pinched right now, so you might not find that many restaurants with vibe and mains in the $15 range right now, or in the future. Most restaurants have to decide whether to increase prices, decrease portion size, cut costs (by using cheaper ingredients or investing less in vibe + atmosphere), or all of the above.

Great summary. As great as Toronto's restaurant scene is these days, I still think we're hurting for hip, cool, yummy weekend brunch spots. Hoof Cafe would have fit the bill perfectly, but it's closed now.

It's not new but I think The Drake is a great rec. Based on my dinner there, I would guess that Beast would serve up a delicious brunch and it's definitely new/up and coming - not sure how busy-vibey it is. Same with Delux. Another place on my list is Marben - haven't tried it yet.

How big a group are you and is this get together in the next month or two or should we be taking patio options into consideration?